Research Report
In November 2025 Rooted Finance published research ‘Systematic barriers to financial inclusion’ giving an unflinching assessment of the systemic barriers blocking equitable financial access. It exposes the Ethnicity Premium: a structural penalty where diverse ethnic communities consistently pay more for essential products like credit, mortgages, and insurance – even when financial profiles are equivalent.
Children from BME backgrounds
In the UK as a whole, children from Black and minority ethnic groups are more likely to be in poverty; 49 per cent of children from these backgrounds are in poverty, compared with 24 per cent of children in White British families (Child Poverty Action Group, 2024).
Children from Bangladeshi and Pakistani households are the most likely to live in poverty and material deprivation out of all ethnic groups, while children in Indian households are the least likely (House of Commons Library, 2025). In large part this is because systemic racism permeates many areas of life: the workplace, the housing market, and education. These structural disadvantages interact and accumulate, leaving families with fewer opportunities and greater risks of poverty.
Calls to Action
The Greater London Authority and local authorities must invest in local BME-led organisations to support young people impacted by racism and inequality.
The Greater London Authority and local authorities should fund apprenticeships and work experience placements for BME young people
ADANNA Women's Support Group (AWSG)
AWSG is a non-profit organisation based in East London (covering Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, and Newham). Its aim is to empower and uplift BAME women and girls who are going through challenges. To reset and rebuild their lives and alleviate poverty.
Roma Support Group
Roma Support Group runs The Roma Aspiration Project which aims to increase life aspirations of Roma children and young people; enhance their confidence and increase their health awareness and well-being.
